The effect of retirement on health services utilization: the Kaiser Permanente Retirement Study

Article Abstract:

As more and more people reach retirement age, the importance of understanding how retirement, a major life event, affects health care utilization becomes more important. The relationships between retirement, utilization of health care, increased stress and illness, and the availability of leisure time were examined in a sample of members between the ages of 60 and 66 of the Northern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program (KPMCP). Six hundred thirteen of the respondents were working, but planned to retire during the next year, while 552 did not plan to retire. There was no statistically significant change in health care use during the year after retirement; however, those who were working were more likely to use urgent care or emergency visits. These visits may have been for illnesses or accidents that occurred on the job, or to obtain a physician's note to justify absence from work. Because the health maintenance organization (HMO) provides the same health care access both before and after retirement, the lack of a change in health care utilization indicates that retirement does not increase stress and illness. The members of the KPMCP represent primarily the middle class, and generalizations to other groups cannot be made. A large proportion of women was included, thus providing information about a group usually excluded from retirement studies. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Hospital and medical service plans, Noncommercial research organizations, Health aspects, Usage, Medical care

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The effect of retirement on mental health and health behaviors: the Kaiser permanent retirement study

Article Abstract:

Investigations regarding the effect of retirement on the health behavior and mental health reveals reduced levels of stress and more regular exercising in retired individuals. Smoking, depression, self-reported mental health status, frequency of alcohol consumption and coping did not vary between retired and employed persons. The tendency of retired women to face alcohol problems is less than that of nonretired women.

Research, Analysis, Mental health, Health behavior

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Kaiser Permanente community partners project: improving geriatric care management practices

Article Abstract:

A study at Kaiser Permanent clinics was conducted to see whether the availability of brief purchase of service payments for outside geriatric care management services would improve geriatric care. A major roadblock to the plan was difficulty in contracting with outside services.

United States, Management dynamics, Services information, HEALTH SERVICES, Health Maintenance Organizations, HMO Medical Centers, Management, Company business management, Geriatrics, Medical case management

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